Officials at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Evanston discovered Sunday morning that sometime overnight a vandal had cut the word “Black” out of the “Black Lives Matter” banner displayed outside the church.
The Session, or governing board of the church at 2515 Central Park Ave., issued a statement saying they’ve filed a police report and are encouraging anyone with information to contact Evanston police.
The statement adds that within hours neighbors and other faith communities offered support and solidarity, as well as new signs restating the message from the damaged one.
“We have been deeply humbled by the reaction of the Northwest Evanston community and beyond,” the statement says, and “we thank our neighbors for their support and encouragement.”
“Northminster now intends to purchase up to ten banners identical to the one that was defaced,” they add. “In time, we will use at least one to replace our own banner. We will offer the others to our sister faith communities in Evanston, regardless of denomination or creed, who wish to join the already-strong interfaith effort of Evanston houses of worship committed to racial justice and equity.”